Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 147: Christ’s Work in the Liturgy
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Podcast Host: Ascension
Host/Author: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Duration: 15-20 minutes

Introduction

In Day 147 of "The Catechism in a Year" podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into Christ’s Work in the Liturgy, covering paragraphs 1084 to 1090 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This episode is part of a structured 365-day journey aimed at comprehensively understanding the Catechism through the Foundations of Faith approach, a color-coded system that elucidates the Catechism's structure for enhanced comprehension.

Overview of the Second Pillar: The Work of the Holy Trinity in Liturgy

Fr. Mike emphasizes that while Scripture remains the primary source of the Church's teachings, the Second Pillar of the Catechism focuses on the liturgical work of the Holy Trinity. Specifically:

• Father: The source and goal of the liturgy.
• Son (Jesus Christ): The central figure whose work in the liturgy is the episode's focus.
• Holy Spirit: To be explored in the following day's episode.

Fr. Mike notes the significance of Sacrosanctum Concilium, a key document from the Second Vatican Council, as a foundational reference for understanding Christ's role in the liturgy.

Christ’s Role in the Liturgy

Definition and Significance of Sacraments

Fr. Mike begins by providing a definition of sacraments, highlighting their dual nature as perceptible signs and effective channels of grace:

"The sacraments are perceptible signs, words and actions accessible to our human nature by the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. They make present efficaciously the grace that they signify in the liturgy of the Church."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [08:15]

He elaborates that sacraments do not merely symbolize their divine significance but actively effectuate the grace they represent. For example:

• Baptism: Not only signifies washing away of sin but actually removes original sin, making the baptized a new creation as "God’s sons and daughters."
• Reconciliation (Confession): Represents God's forgiveness and effectively grants that forgiveness.
• Eucharist: More than symbolizing Jesus’ presence; it is His presence.

The Paschal Mystery in Liturgy

Fr. Mike underscores the centrality of the Paschal Mystery—the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—in the liturgical celebrations:

"His paschal mystery is a real event that occurred in our history, but it is unique. All other historical events happen once, and then they pass away... The paschal mystery of Christ... participates in the divine eternity and so transcends all times, while being made present in them all."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [12:45]

He explains that unlike typical historical events, the Paschal Mystery continues to exist in eternity, allowing it to be re-presented in every liturgical celebration. This eternal aspect ensures that the mystery is always active and not confined to the past.

Apostolic Succession and Sacraments

Fr. Mike connects the Paschal Mystery to the Apostolic Succession, emphasizing how Jesus entrusted the apostles with the power to continue His work through the sacraments:

"The apostles... became sacramental signs of Christ. By the power of the same Holy Spirit, they entrusted this power to their successors."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [16:30]

This lineage ensures that the liturgical life of the Church remains a sacramental participation in Christ’s ongoing work of salvation.

Jesus’ Presence in the Liturgy

Fr. Mike outlines four distinct ways Christ is present in the liturgy:

1. In the Person of the Minister (Priest):

   • Jesus is present through the priest, who stands in His stead during the sacraments.

2. In the Eucharist:

   • The Eucharist is the most profound manifestation of Jesus' presence. Fr. Mike emphasizes:

     "The Eucharist... is a sign of Jesus' presence. It actually is Jesus' presence."
     — Fr. Mike Schmitz [21:10]

3. In the Word:

   • Jesus is present whenever the Holy Scriptures are read and proclaimed in the liturgy.

4. In the Gathering of the Faithful:

   • Christ is present when believers gather in His name, echoing His promise:

     "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
     — Fr. Mike Schmitz [24:50]

These dimensions of presence ensure that Christ is actively engaged in every aspect of the liturgical celebration.

Earthly and Heavenly Liturgy

Fr. Mike connects the earthly liturgy with the heavenly liturgy, illustrating a profound unity between the two:

"The earthly liturgy participates in the Liturgy of Heaven... We are joined with Jesus Christ sitting at the right hand of God the Father."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [28:15]

He elaborates that each Mass is not only a verse of participation in the heavenly worship but also a foretaste of the eternal liturgical celebrations, reinforcing the believer’s aspiration towards the heavenly home.

Guided Prayer

The episode opens and resonantly incorporates a guided prayer, inviting listeners to internalize the themes discussed. The prayer emphasizes:

• Recognition of Christ’s presence in the liturgy.
• Gratitude for the Paschal Mystery.
• Request for spiritual sight to perceive divine actions through ordinary liturgical elements.

Conclusion

Fr. Mike expresses his enthusiasm and awe at the richness of the Catechism, specifically paragraphs 1084 to 1090, highlighting the beautiful and poetic nature of the Church’s teachings. He encourages listeners to reflect on the active presence of Christ in every liturgical act, fostering a deeper connection with the divine.

He concludes by previewing the next episode, which will focus on the Holy Spirit and the Church in the liturgy, continuing the exploration of the Holy Trinity’s role in the liturgical life.

Fr. Mike’s heartfelt invitation to the audience to join daily in this spiritual journey underscores the podcast’s mission to foster a living, daily relationship with God through understanding the Catechism.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Sacraments as Effective Signs:

  "The sacraments are perceptible signs... that make present efficaciously the grace that they signify."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [08:15]

• Paschal Mystery Transcending Time:

  "His paschal mystery... participates in the divine eternity and so transcends all times, while being made present in them all."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [12:45]

• Jesus’ Presence in the Eucharist:

  "The Eucharist... is a sign of Jesus' presence. It actually is Jesus' presence."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [21:10]

• Unity of Earthly and Heavenly Liturgy:

  "The earthly liturgy participates in the Liturgy of Heaven... We are joined with Jesus Christ sitting at the right hand of God the Father."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [28:15]

This episode offers a deep theological insight into Christ’s integral role in the liturgical practices of the Catholic Church, enriching listeners' understanding and appreciation of their faith's sacramental life.